Mortality rates in East Africa have continued to soar, despite programmes that have been put in place to address them. According to the Arusha-based Commonwealth Regional Health Secretariat, it is estimated that death ratios range up to 1,000 per 100,000 live births, while infant mortality is about 145 per 1,000 live births. In the report contained in their Revised Strategic Plan (2002-2006), in 14 states surveyed, less than 50% of the people accessed contraceptives.